Management Tip of the Day: Keep Your Audience Engaged By Sharing the Stage

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JANUARY 24, 2013 Keep Your Audience Engaged By Sharing the Stage Audiences find monologues boring. They're no longer willing to sit for an hour while a single speaker drones on. The key to getting and holding their attention is having new things continually happen. You can keep your presentation lively by doing two things: Bring in other presenters. Invite other experts to join you on stage or by video. Or look for ways team members can play to their strengths. If your colleague Sam is quick on his feet, for example, have him lead the Q&A. Mix up your visuals. Alternate between slides and other media. Hang posters and exhibits on the wall. Use video to inject humor, boost credibility through testimonials, or clarify concepts with animated infographics. If you're talking about a product, give a demo — hold it, display it, and allow people to interact with it. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations. Buy the book and learn what it takes to be an effective speaker » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations Ebook + Video Case Study Purchase of the "HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations" ebook includes a 20-minute video case study. This video features author Nancy Duarte walking you through tips covered in the Guide and is available to download (as an mp4 file) or to stream online. Duarte uses a former client, Alta Devices, to clearly illustrate how you can apply the techniques discussed in her book. Get it now — this Ebook + Video is available only through HBR.org. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Know What Makes Your Company Special Make Emotional Connections with Your Employees Job Seekers: Social Media Is Your Friend Grab Senior Executives' Attention When You Present 3 Ways to Battle E-mail Overload Stand Out in Your Interview Strengthen Your Network with Shared Activities Ask for Feedback Before Taking That Job Stop Regretting Your Career Decisions Keep a Work Diary All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)